In the final part of MotorSportsTalk’s preview of the 2014 Formula 1 season, we take a look at the changes that have occurred over the winter. The sport is a very different place to where we left off in Brazil last November, with new cars, new engines, new rules and even a few new drivers.
SPORTING CHANGES
- Official in-season testing returns in 2014, replacing the young driver tests. Three-day events will be held following races in Bahrain, Spain, Great Britain and Abu Dhabi.
- As part of an altered penalty system, drivers now pick up ‘points’ on their superlicence, and must not exceed 12 at any one time, or they will be banned for a race. Stewards can now apply a five second penalty in races.
- Grid drops can now carry over for one event, meaning that if a driver is demoted ten places but can only serve five, they will be demoted another five places at the next event. It can only be carried over once though.
- Drivers are restricted to five engines to use throughout the season, but parts are interchangeable and liable to their own quota.
- Drivers now have permanent numbers which they will use throughout their careers. You can see them here.
- A trophy will be awarded to the driver who scores the most pole positions in 2014.
- Double points will be awarded at the final round of the season in Abu Dhabi. The winner receives 50 points (instead of 25), second place receives 36 points (instead of 18) and so on.
TECHNICAL CHANGES
- V8 engines have been replaced by turbocharged V6s, limited to 15,000rpm. This now is part of a “power unit” that also features two forms of Energy Recovery Systems (ERS). ERS replaces KERS, meaning drivers can no longer press a button for a boost. The power units will generate a greater amount of torque.
- Drivers are limited to 100kg of fuel within a race, a reduction from the unrestricted figure of 150kg most used last year. This will create plenty of fuel saving and lots of retirements due to over-thirsty engines.
- The exhaust must now be placed above the rear crash structure of the car, whilst beam wings have been banned, both creating a reduction in rear downforce (i.e. less grip).
- Front wings are 150mm narrower, with teams taking 75mm from either side of the wing on their cars.
- The centre tip of the nose must be 185mm above the ground, down from a height of 550mm. This is the regulation that has created the ugly noses on display this season. Although it was designed to reduce the likelihood of the nose entering the cockpit, it is thought that a change to this regulation will be made for 2015.
DRIVER CHANGES
Team change
- Daniel Ricciardo – Toro Rosso to Red Bull
- Kimi Raikkonen – Lotus to Ferrari
- Pastor Maldonado – Williams to Lotus
- Nico Hulkenberg – Sauber to Force India
- Sergio Perez – McLaren to Force India
- Adrian Sutil – Force India to Sauber
- Felipe Massa – Ferrari to Williams
Entering Formula 1
- Kevin Magnussen – McLaren (from Formula Renault 3.5 in 2013)
- Daniil Kvyat – Toro Rosso (from GP3 in 2013)
- Kamui Kobayashi – Caterham (from WEC in 2013)
- Marcus Ericsson – Caterham (from GP2 in 2013)
Leaving Formula 1 (full-time)
- Mark Webber – Red Bull to Porsche’s LMP1 programme in the WEC
- Heikki Kovalainen – Caterham/Lotus to ???
- Paul di Resta – Force India to Mercedes in DTM
- Charles Pic – Caterham to Lotus reserve driver
- Giedo van der Garde – Caterham to Sauber reserve driver
More of MotorSportsTalk’s 2014 F1 season preview
F1 2014 Primer: The Drivers
F1 2014 Primer: The Tracks
F1 2014 Primer: The Teams
5 storylines that could define the 2014 F1 season
